One of the Features of the Sony PS4 Safe Mode menu is a Rebuild Database option which is version of a defrag that users can do on PC&#8217;s and computers. A defrag (or defragging) is a process on computers that does a clean-up of the data and memory on hard drives to free up space and clean out issues on memory.

The Rebuild Database option does a defrag of the PS4, which can solve a whole host of issues on the PS4 and free up some much needed space, speed up your console and fix issues. The Rebuild scans the drive and creates a new database of all content, thus cleaning the disc drive.

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The fact that this is required at all is just bizarre. Name another modern device where you need to rebuild databases in safe mode, outside of the regular OS just to keep it running smoothly. iOS? Android? Windows? OS X? Nope.

PC's went from having to constantly clean otu registry entries and defragging to needing NONE of that maintenance in modern OS's in the meantime consoles went from occasionally needing to blow on a cartridge to apparently having to boot into safe mode and rebuilding hard drive data tables.

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PC's went from having to constantly clean otu registry entries and defragging to needing NONE of that maintenance in modern OS's in the meantime consoles went from occasionally needing to blow on a cartridge to apparently having to boot into safe mode and rebuilding hard drive data tables.

This isn't defragmenting, though. It's just rebuilding a database of content on the system. What kind of crappy database are they using if a stale one screws up the whole system? And why can't it be maintained during normal operation?

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The fact that this is required at all is just bizarre. Name another modern device where you need to rebuild databases in safe mode, outside of the regular OS just to keep it running smoothly. iOS? Android? Windows? OS X? Nope.

It's not required. It's just something you can do if you are having issues operationally. The option is available for all devices, even modern OS. I don't even know where you got the idea that they don't do this. As others have said, software updates automatically do this for you anyways. So the "defrag" is something that will never go away as long as data can still clog.

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This isn't defragmenting, though. It's just rebuilding a database of content on the system. What kind of crappy database are they using if a stale one screws up the whole system? And why can't it be maintained during normal operation?

It's not required. It's just something you can do if you are having issues operationally. The option is available for all devices, even modern OS. I don't even know where you got the idea that they don't do this. As others have said, software updates automatically do this for you anyways. So the "defrag" is something that will never go away as long as data can still clog.

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Glad to see this helping so many of you. Very interested in seeing if the 7200 rpm drive I have ordered will go longer without requiring this than my hybrid drive. I still think that the way the hybrid works is conflicting with the way the PS4 operates.

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Glad to see this helping so many of you. Very interested in seeing if the 7200 rpm drive I have ordered will go longer without requiring this than my hybrid drive. I still think that the way the hybrid works is conflicting with the way the PS4 operates.

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Activating Safe Mode
To activate safe mode, press and hold the following buttons while it is OFF (not standby) for 5 seconds:

"R" button + PS button + Power button

Safe Mode Options
Once you reach Safe Mode, you will see the following options. Use the D-pad to highlight a selection and press "X".

Restart the PS Vita System
Reboots the PS Vita
Rebuild Database
This rebuilds user created data (lists, messages, and some other saved information).
Format Memory Card
This deletes all the information on the PS Vita Memory Card, including game saves, pictures, music, and downloaded games.
Restore the PS Vita System
Restores the PS Vita current firmware to its default state.
Update System Software
Allows you to update the Vita through:
To update your system software, choose from one of the three methods listed below

Update via Wi-Fi
Update PS Vita by connecting to a computer
Update PS Vita by connecting to a PlayStation 3

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The PS3 did something similar. However, if it does detect a hard drive error it can't fix, you may be risking losing everything. My PS3 hard drive was working fine. I downloaded GTA5 at launch, and was told rebuilding the database would help with some of the slowdown and texture pop-in. The rebuild process went up to 60% before I got a corrupted hard drive error. I did what I had to do, formatted the hard drive and no errors since.

Rebuilding doesn't wipe anything but if you want to Initialize(wipe everything) I personally like to back everything up to a USB external. I also do this when I'm "done" with a game so I come back to it one day if I like but still save room on the HD.

The fact that this is required at all is just bizarre. Name another modern device where you need to rebuild databases in safe mode, outside of the regular OS just to keep it running smoothly. iOS? Android? Windows? OS X? Nope.

Defraging once a month helps PCs, manually indexing in OS X will speed up searches, also Android gets sluggish sometimes and feels new with a fresh install. It's not that crazy but it should be done automatically in my opinion.

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Received and installed my 1tb 7200 rpm drive. Works excellent and things are loading very fast. What's most surprising is that its quieter than my hybrid drive. Either way, fantastic performance so far.